The Garfield Park Arts Center, part of Indy Parks & Recreation, engages visitors in diverse, artistic and cultural exhibitions, arts classes, and special events. It features performing arts spaces, visual arts galleries, classrooms, and a literary arts library.

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Mission:

The Garfield Park Arts Center strives to inspire and build a community of arts learners, leaders, and organizations.  

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Indy Parks Mission:

We connect communities by providing places and experiences that inspire healthy living, social engagement, and a love of nature.  

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Racial Equity in Indy Parks:

Indy Parks will be a leader in making Indianapolis a vibrant and healthy place to live by applying a racial equity lens to future planning that better reflects the multicultural community we serve. 

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Indy Parks is committed to providing equitable and inclusive access to programs, services, amenities, and greenspaces.

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We strive to identify and invest in a more equitable workplace culture by focusing on policies and practices including budget allocation, procurement, partnerships, hiring, employee training and advancement.

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History:

The GPAC was originally called the Community House and was built in 1922. It was designed to look like a picnic shelter with enclosed walls, high ceilings, and fireplaces at each end. In 1930 a large swimming pool was located in the area that is currently the GPAC parking lot. At that time, the Community House was used as a locker room and recreation center. In 1990 the pool was removed and replaced by the Aquatic Center that is now located at the Burrello Family Center.

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In 2006 the Community House was remodeled and enlarged using a $2.7 million grant to become the Garfield Park Arts Center. The 8,000 square foot facility now houses a multi-use performing arts space, an exhibition hall, visual and production arts classrooms, recording studio, a literary arts library, and a rehearsal room.